John Comey B.Eng. M.Eng.(Electronic Systems) M.Sc.(Fire Safety) MIEI

Engineers Ireland 26th March 2015

ABOUT THIS PRESENTATION

Review of significant changes to the

standard.

Highlight some of often missed parts of

old standard.

Transitional Arrangements:

Published 27th December 2013.

Old standard revoked on that date. All new systems to be designed/installed to

IS3217:2013

Works “in progress” with fire certificate already granted may continue with old standard but new certificates must be used stating the revision (1989/2008) of the standard used for the design and installation.

Where reasonably practicable new standard should be used.

All existing systems should be Serviced/Maintained in accordance with IS3217:2013 standard.

Need for emergency Lighting:

IS3217:2013 Clause 6.2

6.2 Emergency escape lighting

... emergency escape lighting shall be provided to:

a) indicate clearly and unambiguously the escape routes,

b) provide illumination along such routes to allow safe movement towards and through the emergency exits provided,

c) ensure that fire alarm panels, call points and fire fighting equipment provided along escape routes can be readily located.

Need for emergency Lighting:

The clause has been

removed stating a

“need” to provide

escape lighting for: emergency Services for

search and rescue

or building reoccupation

IS3217:2008 Clause 5.2 ... d) to provide sufficient lighting

to enable the emergency services

to conduct a search and rescue in

the event of an incident,

e)to provide lighting for

building re-occupation.

Escape Route Lighting

Defined Escape Route up to 2m in width illuminated

as before:

1 lux minimum along the central band

½ Width of corridor shall be 0.5 Lux

IS3217 Clause 7.2.1

Wide Escape Routes

Treat as series of 2m

Corridors

Or treat as open area lighting with 0.5 lux minimum throughout

IS3217 Clause 7.2.1 IS3217 Clause 7.2.1

Undefined Escape Routes /

Open areas (anti-panic)

lighting

IS3217 Clause 7.2.2 Undefined escape routes -

IS3217 Clause 7.3 Open Areas

Open Areas are larger than 60 m2 floor area or smaller areas if there is

additional hazard such as use by a large number of people . (Clause 8.5.2.7)

Escape Route (Annex E2)

Example From Annex E2 - Hatched Areas require Escape Lighting

Office

>60m2

Office

<60m2

Kitchen “High Risk

Task”

Achieving 1 Lux:

8W Bulkhead Example

Photometric Data from Cooper Ls

(http://cooper-ls.com)

Even with typical 8w bulkhead there is a big variation on light output from different manufacturers and different fittings.

Spacing tables or photometric data not always available.

Even bigger variance with LED fittings.

Disability Glare:

The brightness of the luminaires

can dazzle and prevent

obstructions or signs being seen.

Clause 7.2.4.1

Disability glare shall

be contained to an

acceptable level by

limiting the luminous

intensity of the

luminaires within the

field of view (see Table

1).

Local Circuit Monitoring:

Clause 8.1 ... local emergency escape lighting will operate in the event of failure of the normal supply to the corresponding local circuit.

2013 Standard adds a note urging caution when using local circuit monitoring devices, to prevent unintended discharge in unaffected areas .

Distribution

board 1

Distribution

board 2

Example: Apartment Block incorrectly wired.

4 normal lighting circuits (hatched areas)

1 Emergency lighting circuit.

Lights only illuminate when stair lights fail.

System Integrity

Minimum of two lights in escape route compartment:

If less that 6m2 internally illuminated exit may form this function.

(Clause 8.2)

Lobby < 6m2 Corridor > 6m2

Points of Emphasis

Key Changes underlined below:

Clause 8.5.1. The points of emphasis when placing emergency luminaires are: a) Near each emergency exit door,

b) near stairs so that each flight of stairs receives direct light,

c) near any other change in level,

d) externally illuminated escape route safety signs, escape route direction signs and other safety signs needing to be illuminated under emergency lighting conditions,

e) at each change of direction,

f) at each intersection of corridors,

g) near to each final exit and outside the building to a place of safety,

Points of Emphasis

Note increased Lux levels:

h) near each first aid post, so that 5 lux

vertical illuminance is provided at the

first aid box,

i) near each piece of firefighting

equipment, fire alarm panel and call

point to provide 5 lux vertical

illuminance,

j) near escape equipment provided for

the disabled,

k) near disabled refuges, disabled refuge

panel and call point. Also to include

disabled refuge two way

communication systems including

disabled toilet alarm call position.

IS3217:2013 Clause 8.5.1.

Plant / Switch Rooms

Motor generator,

control, switch and

plant rooms

shall be not less than

1 lux at the floor level.

control equipment

and switchboards

shall be not less than

5 lux

Clause 8.5.2.5

Roof Plant and Plant Rooms

Where access is required to roof for maintenance of plant and equipment then escape route lighting is to be provided.

If exit route is not obvious then signage should also be provided.

Clause 8.5.2.10 / Clause 8.6.2 (b)

Toilets:

IS3217:2013 Annex E1

Emergency Escape Signs

(Clause 8.6) Must Comply with

signs directive:

Location of Emergency exit signs requirement greatly expanded and clarified in clause 8.6.2. a) at least one escape

route or doorway leading to an escape route should be visible from any point within every room or enclosure....

Central Battery Systems,

Cabling Requirements: (Clause 10)

For 3 Hour Systems:

Large Cables >

20mm must comply

with BS8491

Small Cables

<20mm must

comply

BS8519:2010 Annex

B Cat 3 120 Mins*

For 1 Hour Systems

Large Cables >

20mm must comply

with BS8491

Small Cables

<20mm must

comply EN50200

PH60 including

Annex E

(BS 8519:2010 Selection and installation of fire-resistant power and control cable

systems for life safety and fire-fighting applications. Code of practice

Note on BS8519*

BS8519 Annex B – additional burning time and water shock test above requirements En50200 Ph120 / BS8434-2 (e.g Enhanced fire alarm cable)

BS8519 not applicable to UK equivalent Emergency Lighting standard BS5266-1:2011

Diagram from Prysmain Guide to BS8519 https://www.fpcables.co.uk/

*(BS 8519:2010 Selection and installation of fire-resistant power and control cable

systems for life safety and fire-fighting applications. Code of practice)

Cable Joints and Support

Separate from all other non-fire resistive cables:

Mechanically Protected.

Cable Support Fire Resistance equal to that of Cable

Fire Resistive Glands

Ceramic Connectors, fuse holders and Junction Boxes

Competency:

Designers: Clause 13.1 ... chartered

engineer who is experienced and competent in emergency lighting design,

or a professional engineer experienced and competent in emergency lighting design who holds qualification in emergency lighting design of at least a Level 6 Award ...

or other competent person.

Responsibility of designer to demonstrate competence

Competency:

Commissioners / Inspection & Testing

Clause 16.1 It is the

responsibility of the individual to demonstrate that they are competent to carry out inspection, testing and commissioning of emergency lighting systems. An appropriate qualification in emergency lighting under the National Framework of Qualifications could assist in demonstrating competence.

Competency:

Installation:

Clause 9.1 The electrical installation of emergency lighting systems shall be carried out to comply with ET 101.

Suitably qualified persons shall be a registered electrical contractor (REC) as recognised by the CER.

Design-Certificate

For new systems:

Issued on designers

headed paper

List Justified

Variations

Confirm their

Competency

Confirm no adverse

impact on existing

system

Installer-Certificate

For new system Confirm installed in

compliance designer specification and drawings

Confirm competence

Confirm compliance with IS3217

Confirm no adverse effect on existing system.

Confirm as installed drawings and other records provided.

Issue ECTI Certificate.

Commissioning Certificate

For new systems

Issued on

commissioner's

headed paper

Confirm compliance

with IS3217

Confirm competence

List excluded areas.

(e.g. Limited to new

extension.)

Handover Certificate

Signed by owner occupier to confirm receipt of documentation

Also confirm they have been informed about user responsibilities. Clause 14 – log books and

records

Clause 15 – “It is the responsibility of the owner/occupier/management of the building to ensure that the emergency lighting system is maintained in accordance with Clauses 14 and 16.”

Clause 16 – Maintenance requirements:

Maintenance & Testing

No longer a requirement to do a light level (lux) test every 4 years.

Service providers now required to provide an “opinion” annually that illuminance requirements are adequate instead.

Table D1.(j) It is the opinion of

the persons(s) undertaking the Annual Inspection and Testing that the illuminance requirements of the applicable version(s) of I.S. 3217 are complied with and that emergency lighting is provided in all locations as required by the applicable version(s) of I.S. 3217.

Inspection and Test Frequency:

2008 Standard

weekly,

three-monthly,

and annually.

2013 Standard

daily,

weekly,

three monthly

and annually

Daily- inspection by user.

Check Logbook to

confirm previous repairs

complete.

Check indicators on

central battery system.

Check indicators on

automatic test systems

Record any deficiencies

in Logbook.

Clause 6.2.1

Weekly – inspection

Check the following on at least 25% of system: Visual check each lamp in

maintained/sustained system.

Check status LED on self contained or stand alone self-test systems

Ensure lamps are replaced.

100% should be tested over 4 week period.

(note in 2008 100% inspected weekly)

Quarterly - Report

Carried out 4 times a year. Every 3 months (+/- 30 days)

On Standalone System: Simulate Power Failure (30

minutes for 3h system)

Verify lamps are illuminating at end of test period.

Additional checks for CBS/ATS listed in the standard or recommended by manufacturers e.g. Batteries.

Issue Report Annex C7 (no longer called a quarterly certificate).

Clause 16.4

2008 Quarterly Check List Removed.

New quarterly test significantly

reduces the checks required by

2008 Annex C.

Most items from old periodic

check-list now contained in new

annual checklist.

Annual Report / Certificate

Annual Certificate only issued if no defects found. i.e. no longer possible to issue cert with variations .

Requires 100% compliance with requirements set out in Annex D.

Compliance with Annex D is a check list of key parts and does not mean a system is fully compliant with Is3217 (any revision).

Annual Report

Issued when system

fails to meet one of

the requirements

Annex D.

Annual Test Annex D. ITEM REQUIREMENT Requirements

Applicable to the

relevant version of I.S.

3217.

1989 2008 2013

a Mode of operation for emergency exit signs is maintained (2) Yes Yes Yes

b There is evidence that the system is being adequately maintained Yes Yes Yes

c Emergency exit signs clearly and unambiguously indicate direction of

escape

Yes Yes Yes

d All emergency luminaires and signs are operational and meet the full

durational test requirements

Yes Yes Yes

e Following the completion of the full duration test all emergency lighting

indicators show healthy status

Yes Yes Yes

Annual Test Annex D. ITEM REQUIREMENT Requirements

Applicable to the

relevant version of I.S.

3217.

1989 2008 2013

f The following points of emphasis have emergency luminaire(s) (4)

1) each staircase Yes Yes Yes

2) each change in floor level Yes Yes Yes

3) each change of direction Yes Yes Yes

4) each fire alarm call point Yes Yes Yes

5) fire fighting equipment Yes Yes Yes

6) each emergency exit door Yes Yes Yes

7.1) Outside each final exit and outside the building to a place of

safety

N/A N/A Yes

7.2) Outside each final exit and close to it (1) Yes Yes N/A

8) each change of direction Yes Yes Yes

9) emergency exit and safety signs required by the enforcing

authority

Yes Yes Yes

10) each first aid post N/A Yes Yes

11) each intersection of corridors Yes Yes Yes

12) Near escape equipment provided for the disabled N/A Yes Yes

Annual Test Annex D.

ITEM REQUIREMENT Requirements

Applicable to the

relevant version of I.S.

3217.

1989 2008 2013

h There is a suitable test facility for simulating failure of supply

Yes Yes Yes

i In the event of circuit failures on emergency escape stairwells, emergency escape lighting is

present and functions (3)

Yes Yes Yes

j It is the opinion of the persons(s) undertaking the Annual Inspection & Testing that the

illuminance requirements of the applicable version(s) of I.S. 3217 are complied with and that

emergency lighting is provided in all locations as required by the applicable version(s) of I.S.

3217.

Yes Yes Yes

(1) I.S. 3217 1989 - may rely on local authority lighting if adequate.

(2) I.S.3217 1989 - Please refer to Annex F of this standard for exceptions: In particular F2,

F3, F4, F6, F8.2.

(3) The person(s) carrying out the annual inspection & testing shall ensure that suitable

measures and precautions are taken to safeguard the building occupants.

(4) For specific requirements of items listed in “f “, please refer to the applicable standards.

Comsec Protection Systems Ltd.

Fire Protection and Security Engineers.

Unit 26 Stadium Business Park.

Ballycoolin Rd.

Dublin 11

Tel: (01) 8853008

Fax: (01) 8853007

Email: info@comsec.ie

Web: http://www.comsec.ie